Portable ball game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable ball game apparatus including a hoop and a first leg including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment. The first leg is removably coupled to the hoop and the first leg extends downwardly from the hoop. A second leg includes a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the second leg. The second leg is removably coupled to the hoop and the second leg extends downwardly from the hoop. A third leg includes a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the third leg. The third leg is removably coupled to the hoop and the third leg extends downwardly from the hoop.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/981,847, filed Feb. 26, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates a portable ball game apparatus that is used to play a basketball-type game.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides, a portable ball game apparatus including a hoop and a base including a tray, the tray having a length and a width. The apparatus further includes a first leg including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment. The first leg is removably coupled to the base and the hoop and the first leg extends from the base to the hoop. A second leg includes a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the second leg and the second leg is removably coupled to the base and the hoop and the second leg extends from the base to the hoop. A third leg includes a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the third leg and the third leg is removably coupled to the base and the hoop and the third leg extends from the base to the hoop. The first segments and the second segments each have a length that is less than the width of the tray.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a portable ball game apparatus including a hoop and a first leg including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment. The first leg is removably coupled to the hoop and the first leg extends downwardly from the hoop. A second leg includes a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the second leg. The second leg is removably coupled to the hoop and the second leg extends downwardly from the hoop. A third leg includes a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the third leg. The third leg is removably coupled to the hoop and the third leg extends downwardly from the hoop.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable ball game apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an alternative perspective view of the base of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a corner brace of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an alternative perspective view of the corner brace of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 disassembled.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 disassembled.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable ball game apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 includes a hoop 12, a base 14, and legs 16A-16D that extend from the base 14 to the hoop 12. The apparatus 10 is used as one piece of equipment in a sports game where the goal of the game includes players passing a game piece (e.g., ball, disc, bean bag, etc.) through the hoop 12 to score. As will be discussed in more detail below, the apparatus 10 is easily collapsible or disassembled and transported by the user to a new location and easily reassembled (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the hoop 12 is located at an end of the legs 16A-16D at a top of the apparatus 10. The hoop 12 is spaced a height 18 from a ground surface 20 on which the apparatus 10 is placed. In one embodiment, the height 18 is between about 60 inches and about 80 inches and about 72 inches in one particular embodiment. The illustrated hoop 12 includes connectors 22 and a rim 24 that together form the hoop 12. In one embodiment, the connectors 22 are formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the rim 24 is formed from PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing that extends through the connectors 22. In other embodiments, other suitable types of plastics may be used or other suitable materials may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the hoop 12 is generally in the shape of a circle. In other embodiments, the hoop is a polygon. In such embodiments, the hoop 12 may include multiple ridged PVC segments between the connectors 22. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a net 26 may be attached to the hoop 12.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, the legs 16A-16D extend from the hoop 12 to the base 14. The legs 16A-16D each include a first segment 30, a second segment 32, and a third segment 34. All of the segments 30, 32, 34 have the same length 38 (FIG. 2). Therefore, the segments 30, 32, 34 are interchangeable, which provides for easier and faster assembly by the user. Collars 36 are used to couple the segments 30, 32, 34 as shown in the figures. In one embodiment, the collars 36 are fixed to one segment. For example, in the illustrated construction, the apparatus 10 includes eight collars 36 and twelve segments 30, 32, 34. In such an embodiment, eight of the twelve segments 30, 32, 34 may include one of the eight collars 36 fixed (e.g., glued) to an end of the segment 30, 32, 34 (see FIG. 10). Then, an end of a segment not having a collar 36 is inserted or pushed into the collar 36 to attach the segments using a friction fit. In yet other constructions, the collars 36 may be removably coupled to the segments 30, 32, and 34. In one embodiment, the collars 36 and the segments 30, 32, 34 are formed from PVC and in yet other embodiments, other suitable types of plastics can be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes four legs 16A-16D. In other embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include three legs or more than four legs. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the legs 16A-16D each include three segments. In other embodiments, the legs may include two or more than three segments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the base 14 forms a tray 40. The tray 40 has a bottom wall 42 and a sidewall 44 that extends around the bottom wall 42 and upwardly from the bottom wall 42. The sidewall 44 has a height 46 measure from the bottom wall 42 to a top 48 of the sidewall 44. A storage volume 50 is defined as the volume between the bottom wall 42 and the top 48 of the sidewall 44 within the sidewall 44. Referring to FIG. 4, the tray 40 has a length 58 and a width 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the length 58 is equal to the width 60. In one embodiment, the length 58 and the width 60 are between 20 inches and 30 inches. In one embodiment, the length 58 and the width 60 are about 24 inches. During use of the apparatus 10, the storage volume 50 may be filled or partially filled with sand, dirt, water, etc., to increase the stability of the apparatus 10. Also, as discussed below, the storage volume 50 receives the legs 16A-16D and the hoops 12 when disassembled allowing the user to conveniently store and transport the apparatus 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, the length 38 of the leg segments 30, 32, 34 are less than the width 60 of the tray 40. In the illustrated embodiment, described above, one collar 36 is attached to some of the segments 30, 32, 34. In such an embodiment, the length 38 of the segment 30, 32, 34 plus the length of the attached collar 36 is less than the width 60. Also, the number of segments 30, 32, 34 and the length 58 are such that all of the segments 30, 32, 34 fit within the storage volume 50 when the legs 16A-16D and the hoop 12 are disassembled. The hoop 12 is also sized to fit within the storage volume 50 when disassembled as shown in FIG. 9. When the apparatus 10 is disassembled, the legs 16A-16D and the hoop 12 all fit within the storage volume 50 of the tray 40. The disassembled apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can then easily be transported and/or stored in a container, bag, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the illustrated base 14 is generally square and includes corners 66A-66D. Apertures 68A-68D are located adjacent each corner 66A-66D. The apertures 68A-68D each receive one of the legs 16A-16D (FIG. 1) to removably couple the legs 16A-16D to the base 14. To attach one of the legs 16A-16D to the base 14 the user inserts or pushes the leg into one of the apertures 68A-68D. To remove the leg, the user pulls the leg out of the aperture. In one embodiment, a friction fit and gravity hold the legs 16A-16D in the apertures 68A-68D.

Referring to FIG. 5, a back or underside of the base 14 includes support recesses 70A-70D. Referring to FIGS. 6-8, a support 72A-72D is received in each of the recesses 70A-70D. Each support 72A-72D includes a support aperture 74 and flanges 76 that extend radially out from the support aperture 74. The support aperture 74 is aligned with the adjacent aperture 68A-68D such that when the apparatus 10 is assembled, the legs 16A-16D extend into the support aperture 74. This has been found to increase the stability and strength of the base 14. Also, in one embodiment, the supports 72A-72D are not fixed in position. Rather, the supports 72A-72D are slightly loose and have a slight ability to move within the support recesses 70A-70D, which has also been found to increase the strength and durability of the base 14. Although not illustrated, in one embodiment, the underside of the base 14 includes a bottom or cover to prevent the supports 72A-72D from dropping out of the recesses 70A-70D.

Accordingly, the invention provides, among other things the apparatus 10 that can easily be disassembled by the user and components stored within the tray 40 for storage and transportation to a new location. The apparatus 10 is easily reassembled by reassembling the legs 16A-16D and attaching the legs 16A-16D to the base 14. The hoop 12 is then attached to the legs 16A-16D.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable ball game apparatus comprising: a hoop; a base including a tray, the tray having a length and a width; a first leg including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment, the first leg removably coupled to the base and the hoop, the first leg extending from the base to the hoop; a second leg including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the second leg, the second leg removably coupled to the base and the hoop, the second leg extending from the base to the hoop; and a third leg including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the third leg, the third leg removably coupled to the base and the hoop, the third leg extending from the base to the hoop, wherein the first segments and the second segments each have a length that is less than the width of the tray.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lengths of the first segments and the second segments are each at least about 80 percent of the width of the tray.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lengths of the first segments and the second segments are equal.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg includes a collar, wherein the collar removable couples the first segment of the first leg to the second segment of the first leg.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a sidewall and a bottom wall, wherein a height of the tray is measured from the bottom wall to a top of the sidewall, and wherein the tray has a storage volume defined by the length, the width, and the height of the tray, and wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg are received within the storage volume in a disassembled configuration.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hoop is received within the storage volume in a disassembled configuration.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hoop is circular.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a net attached to the hoop.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the tray is about equal to the width of the tray.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base includes a first corner, a second corner, and a third corner, wherein the first leg is removably coupled to the base adjacent the first corner, wherein the second leg is removably coupled to the base adjacent the second corner, and wherein the third leg is removably coupled to the base adjacent the third corner.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the base includes a first aperture adjacent the first corner, wherein the first leg is received within the first aperture to removably couple the first leg to the base, wherein the base includes a second aperture adjacent the second corner, wherein the second leg is received within the second aperture to removably couple the second leg to the base, wherein the base includes a third aperture adjacent the third corner, and wherein the third leg is received within the third aperture to removably couple the third leg to the base.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg further includes a third segment removable coupled to the first and the second segments of the first leg, wherein the second leg further includes a third segment removable coupled to the first and the second segments of the second leg, and wherein the third leg further includes a third segment removable coupled to the first and the second segments of the third leg.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lengths of the first segments, the second segments, and the third segments are equal.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base includes a first aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture, and wherein the first leg is received within the first aperture to removably couple the first leg to the base, wherein the second leg is received within the second aperture to removably couple the second leg to the base, wherein the third leg is received within the third aperture to removably couple the third leg to the base.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a first support removably coupled to the base, the first leg extends through the first aperture of the base and into the first support; a second support removably coupled to the base, the second leg extends through the second aperture of the base and into the second support; and a third support removably coupled to the base, the third leg extends through the third aperture of the base and into the third support.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first, second, and third supports each include a support aperture and a first flange that extends from the support aperture and a second flange that extends from the support aperture.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base includes a first recess, a second recess, and a third recess, wherein the first support is removably coupled to the base in the first recesses, wherein the second support is removably coupled to the base in the second recesses, and wherein the third support is removably coupled to the base in the third recess.
 18. A portable ball game apparatus comprising: a hoop; a first leg including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment, the first leg removably coupled to the hoop, the first leg extending downwardly from the hoop; a second leg including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the second leg, the second leg removably coupled to the hoop, the second leg extending downwardly from the hoop; and a third leg including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first segment of the third leg, the third leg removably coupled to the hoop, the third leg extending downwardly from the hoop.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the lengths of the first segments and the second segments are equal.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first leg includes a collar, wherein the collar removable couples the first segment of the first leg to the second segment of the first leg. 